- Philippa Roxby and Michelle Roberts
- BBC News
55 minutes ago
The authorities advise patients to avoid crowds to prevent the spread of the virus
Corona virus infections are rising again in Britain, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
The number of infected people is currently estimated at 2.3 million people, which means that one in every 30 people is infected with the virus, and this means a 32 percent increase in cases.
This marked increase in infection numbers is caused by two new Omicron mutant BA.4 and BA.5.
A person can become infected even if they have been infected before, but the vaccine protects against severe symptoms of the disease.
The Office for National Statistics estimates that the number of cases in the week ending June 24 is as follows:
*One in every 30 people in England
*One in every 30 people in Wales
*One in 25 people in Northern Ireland.
1 in 18 people in Scotland
Sarah Crafts, from the Office for National Statistics, said: “We’ve seen an uptick in cases across the UK with half a million new infections, possibly due to the increased prevalence of BA.4 and BA.5 cases.
In analyzing the situation in England, it became clear that cases of infection are increasing in all regions and all age groups.
In Scotland, which has recorded the highest infection rates in the United Kingdom since the end of May, infection rates appear to be decreasing slightly.
What is going on in hospitals?
In England hospitals, 9,000 beds were filled with Covid patients on June 30, and the number has doubled since the beginning of the month.
Data from other parts of the UK are not entirely up-to-date but indicate a similar rise in the number of cases.
It is noteworthy that the number of Covid patients in hospitals is much less than in January 2021, when it reached 34,000 with the spread of the Alpha faction.
Not all patients are treated in hospitals as a result of infection with Covid, some of them go to hospital for other reasons, but their infection with Covid may worsen their disease.
This applies to two-thirds of patients currently in hospitals.
The number of intensive care patients with Covid patients reached 211 in England, while it was 111 at the beginning of June, while the number reached 2,700 in January 2021, and the intensive care units were facing the risk of overcrowding.
Health officials advise anyone over the age of 75 who has not received a vaccine in the past six months to get a booster dose of the vaccine to protect them from severe symptoms of the disease and the need to stay in the hospital in the event they contract Covid.
About 16 percent of that age group did not respond to the offer, said Dr Mary Ramsey, director of health programs at the UK’s Health Security Agency.
She urged people to avoid spreading the virus when they mix with others, and called on them to wear masks in crowded and closed places.
She advised those who suffer from a high temperature and a feeling of illness to stay in their homes or stay away from others, especially the elderly or those who suffer from diseases.
“I think it’s much worse than a bad cold,” Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at the Department of Public Health, told the BBC.
Those infected feel ill for seven or 10 days, she said, and she told them to stay away from others while they had symptoms.
“Avoid going to festivals and events in closed places, because this increases the risk of transmitting the disease in those places,” she said.